June 25, 2020 Representative Allison Dahle Representative Rosa Gill Representative Darren Jackson Representative Joe John Representative Grier Martin North Carolina General Assembly 300 N. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27603 Dear Representatives Dahle, Gill, Jackson, John, and Martin, I am writing to ask for your support of HB 1200, which would provide some housing stability for thousands of households across the state that have lost employment or wages as a result of the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. WakeUP Wake County promotes thoughtful, equitable planning and sustainable, healthy communities through education, advocacy, civic engagement, and research, advancing a higher quality of life for all. Housing plays a critical role in our work because stable, secure housing is vital for our region’s continued prosperity and our resident’s well‐being. The bill proposes to direct $200 million in federal coronavirus relief funds (CARES Act) towards assistance for both homeowners and renters. Funds would be allocated to the NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) to distribute grants to individuals needing emergency funds to make mortgage, rent, and/or utility payments. Data shows that low‐income people are more likely to be experiencing job or wage losses due to the pandemic and that black and brown people are experiencing these impacts at higher rates than white households. North Carolina is experiencing record unemployment rates and huge delays in getting payments to individuals. The payment assistance that HB 1200 would provide is one step towards balancing the scales by, at the very least, lessening the harm caused by housing instability. Currently, a statewide effort to help keep people housed during the pandemic, does not exist. Governor Cooper's moratorium on evictions has just ended, and there is urgent need to dedicate resources toward protecting members of our community who face serious housing instability in the middle of a public health and economic crisis. Sincerely, Heather Vail Keefer Executive Director WakeUP Wake County .